Wrecked: The remains of the vehicle in which the Peaks were travelling and, bottom, the one driven by McCormick

Wrecked: The remains of the vehicle in which the Peaks were travelling and, bottom, the one driven by McCormick

Yesterday, clutching a Scooby Doo soft toy and a photograph of her two sons, Amanda Peak came face to face with the McCormick who is accused of killing her boys in the crash.

The 30-year-old mother should have been taking her children to school but instead faced McCormick, in court.

The Plymouth Argyle goalkeeper kept his head bowed during the hearing.

Mangled: The contrasting condition of the Toyota Previa, in the background, with that of the Range Rover

Mangled: The contrasting condition of the Toyota Previa, in the background, with that of the Range Rover

As he left court, he put on a baseball cap and pulled a black hoodie over his head and face before being driven off in a silver convertible car.

The 24-year-old was arrested after his Range Rover hit a Toyota in which Arron his brother Ben were travelling.

They had been on the M6 in Staffordshire with their father Philip,on their way to a fun day with friends at Silverstone racetrack early on Saturday morning.

The brothers died and their 37-year-old father, who was driving, was seriously injured.

Grief: Amanda Peak leaves court shortly before Luke McCormick, right, the footballer accused of killing her two sons in a motorway crash

Bailed: McCormick, who plays for Plymouth Argyle, was driving home from a former team-mate's wedding when the crash happened

Bailed: McCormick, who plays for Plymouth Argyle, was driving home from a former team-mate's wedding when the crash happened

He is at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire after sustaining a suspected broken neck and back. His condition was described as "serious but stable" last night.

The three other occupants of the Toyota, Philip Bennett and his two children, were treated at the same hospital for minor injuries.

Mr Bennett, the Peaks' neighbour, said: "You look at the house and the boys are never going to be there again. My kids were always there, they were always here. That part of our life has gone forever."

Surrounded by friends, Mrs Peak held on to the cuddly toy and the framed photograph of her sons throughout the five-minute hearing in Fenton magistrates' court in Stoke-on-Trent.

During the hearing, McCormick spoke only to give his details, including a Plymouth address, and to confirm that he understood the proceedings.

McCormick was given bail, albeit with several conditions. These include that he resides at an address in Coventry, does not leave the UK, and must report to a police station. He cannot drive or be a front seat passenger in a car, or enter Manchester or Bolton.

The Coventry-born player once took part in a Devon and Cornwall Police campaign to promote road safety, urging motorists not to use mobile phones while driving.

McCormick was ordered to appear at Stoke Crown Court on June 16. The charge of causing death by dangerous driving carries a maximum sentence of 14 years.

The Peak family: From left, Arron, his mother Amanda, Ben, and their father Philip. Below, skid marks and warning tape mark the spot where the brothers were killed

The Peak family: From left, Arron, his mother Amanda, Ben, and their father Philip. Below, skid marks and warning tape mark the spot where the brothers were killed